Islamic State fighters shoot down Iraqi chopper in Mosul

Baghdad, April 6 (IANS/AKI) Fighters from the Islamic State jihadist group on Thursday brought down an Iraqi military helicopter in the embattled city of Mosul, killing two crew members, the Iraqi army said in a statement.

"The helicopter was hit by enemy fire," said the statement from Joint Operations Command.

The chopper was providing air support to Iraqi Federal Police trying to dislodge IS fighters on the western side of Mosul, the statement added.

Local broadcaster Rudaw reported that the helicopter was downed by a rocket launched from west Mosul and said it crashed in the eastern side of the northern Iraqi city.

It was the first aircraft brought down by IS in Mosul since the US-backed offensive to dislodge the group from the city began in mid-October.

Fierce fighting has continued in Mosul as Iraqi forces battle to retake the Old City, where 400,000 people are believed to be living.